Our God Will Save Us: Devotees Pray with Scorpions on Their Bodies

The devotees believe that the deity of Kondammai temple will protect them from the venomous creatures.

The faithful believe that the deity of Kondammai temple will protect them from venomous creatures.

(Photo: Ruptly Screengrab)

Thousands gathered at the hilltop Kondammai temple in Kandkoor, Yadgir district, on Friday, to take part in the Naga Panchami festival – when devotees celebrate poisonous creatures like snakes and scorpions by placing the animals on their bodies and faces.

Every year we come here during Naga Panchami festival. After worshipping the goddess, we search for the snakes and scorpions and put them on our palm, head, mouth and all over our body. It won’t bite and nothing happens to us. The deity will save us.

Devika, Devotee 

The holy festival is celebrated throughout India and Nepal, with worshippers making offerings to the gods, with a lot of the festivities aimed at honouring of snakes, who play an important role during Naga Panchami.

Video Editor: Mohd Ibrahim

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